The Great British Pubco Scam. Pubs are closing all over Britain yet pubs are places that most people love and think fondly of as some of the most significant, treasured, iconic parts of our culture, places to be cherished, nurtured and looked after. Yet they're closing everywhere... WHY? It doesn't make sense does it? Read on...
A bit about me. And a bit about them. And some photographs...

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Friday, July 04, 2008

Professional footballers, film, television and rock stars are possibly the only people left who can afford to take on tied pubs and subsidise them to keep them going. What I failed to mention at the head of this piece although I think everyone got it, is that it is a quote verbatim, cut and paste, from a Punch Inns advertisment for taking on their leases. The bit I really like is: "The Ideal Candidate: Quite simply, people from all kinds of backgrounds can carve out a future as successful licensees. YOU DON'T EVEN NEED PREVIOUS PUB EXPERIENCE" and the little throw away about: "THE FREEDOM OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT BACKED UP BY THE SUPPORT OF A MULTI-AWARD WINNING COMPANY". Oooh Aaah. And S Roberts you're right there are few Professionals in this trade. It's a business of Enthusiastic Amateurism as someone once pointed out as I was being introduced to Marco Pierre White.

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J Mark Dodds

I’m one of the Pub Persuaders, one of the Pub Professionals, one of the People who knows what’s going on – in PUBS that is - and this blog is about pubs, why they are so important to people and why they must be preserved, reinvigorated, enhanced and remade fit for purpose for the 21st century and beyond and how they must be made sustainable so that future generations can enjoy and learn from the rich seams of knowledge that can be found on everyone’s doorstep in every humble pub – until it’s closed forever – until it’s too late and people say ‘what happened to our pub? We really NEEDED that pub!’
I’m a publican, parent and photographer with a lot of food and drink experience in some of the busiest restaurants and clubs in Britain. Since long before 2008 (when I co-founded the Fair Pint Campaign) I’ve been a pro pubs, people and places person at the forefront of the national conversation about why pubs are closing… everywhere.
I love good pubs, my kids love good pubs, all my friends love good pubs – everyone loves good pubs and I’m determined to make sure good pubs remain part of everybody’s experience - of growing up in the UK and of visiting this country.